Thursday, March 6, 2008

Remember how FairfaxCAPS, the awesome pro-school group with lots of friendly pictures of kids of all ethnicities on its Web site, was going to take a positive, proactive approach to helping Fairfax County's school system make sure everyone gets a fair shake, except maybe for a few malcontents in South Reston who take some weird foreign classes? Well, in the wake of last week's redistricting decision that eliminated the Madison Island and maybe Gilligan's Island, and forced kids from affluent neighborhoods to attend the newly fenestrated South Lakes High School, not so much.

In the wake of the decision, the largest of the citizen groups opposed to the boundary changes, Fairfax County Coalition of Advocates for Public Schools, continues to accept pledges of donations through its web site for its legal fund.

The form's disclaimer states that “pledges made here will only be used in the event of a lawsuit against Fairfax County School Board.”

Founder Nick Pesce told The Times on Feb. 25 that the group would have thirty days to file a lawsuit after a decision.

FairfaxCAPS Communications Committee member Scott Chronister would not disclose the amount the group has raised for the legal fund, but said the group is considering options.

“We're looking at what the best way is to try to ensure Fairfax County Public Schools be held accountable for their actions,” he said. “This could include legal action and it will most definitely include non-legal activities.”

FairfaxCAPS are opposing what they called a flawed process, study and decision. Chronister said the group will continue as a watchdog for the School Board.

“They are not working for the educational benefit of the kids in our county,” he said.

Well, it's nice to see they're thinking about all Fairfax County students, even the ones who might play with Bratz dolls, and that there's no vested interests. Right?

Chronister, who lives in a Fox Mill neighborhood that has been redistricted into South Lakes from Oakton, has a “vested interest” with children in 10th grade, sixth grade, second grade and two-year-old twins.

His sixth-grader will be his first child to possibly attend South Lakes, since the boundary changes grandfather current high school students.

At the core of the fight is setting a good example for his kids, Chronister said.

“We teach our kids they should not allow themselves to be bullied on the school yard. I don't think we as parents should be allowed to be bullied by the School Board,” he said.